Now imagine holding a show-stopping party for Junior and pals, and the only thing you have to worry about is deciding on the invite list.

That's the idea behind Pump It Up, a franchise in Taylor where kids can spend hours playing with giant inflatables and have loads of fun.

Vikas Hardas, 62, of Grosse Ile opened the 13,000-square-foot facility at 25710 Northline Road on May 1, and he's been hosting birthday celebrations, graduation parties and corporate events where kids of all ages can gather.

"We're providing a place where kids from 2 to 92 can just have fun," says Hardas, who admits he, too, has partaken in the inflatable fun. The franchisor, based in Plesanton, Calif., has captured a market with its inflatable play areas. Its other Michigan franchise locations are in Wixom and Shelby Township.

Hardas, an engineer, retired earlier this year from BASF and was deciding what to do next. That's when a friend -- George Zoss, who happens to be a franchise consultant -- told him about Pump It Up. Hardas learned more about the company and was smitten, he says.

"It's important to do something you love, and I love kids and family," he says.

He's invested more than $100,000 in franchise fees, refurbishing the building and other costs.

Hardas has two full-time employees and 15 to 20 who work part-time. The youngest of his three daughters, Anjani, 17, works there. And so does his wife, Pratibha Hardas.

"The idea of Pump It Up is that parents don't have to do anything," Vikas Hardas says. "They come, the kids have fun and eat and go. The parents don't have to clean their house or cook the food or entertain the kids. We take care of everything."

Parties typically are about $225 for 20-25 kids. Food costs extra.

In addition to kids' parties, Hardas says, the business has hosted family reunions, corporate team-building meetings, fund-raisers and day camps.

Hardas, who had never been a small-business owner, says the most difficult part in his first three months has been money management.

Hardas is particularly proud of a party held Aug. 4 for autistic children from the Downriver Guidance Center.

"Management at the Guidance Center was not sure how the kids would do," he says. "But once they saw what a good time the kids had, they decided to come back on a regular basis."

Click Here For More Information on the Pump it Up Franchise Opportunity

Source:Detroit Free Press